The 1st4sport Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Supporting the Delivery of Physical Education and School Sport has been developed in partnership with the Association for Physical Education (afPE) and is supported by employers and the industry. The qualification is designed to consolidate and expand upon prior learning in the area of supporting the delivery of physical education and school sport. The qualification will further develop your knowledge and skills in order to allow you to further support the delivery of physical education and school sport (PESS) programmes in a school sport environment. While it is delivered through the medium of PESS, the skills may be used by learners aspiring to work in other sporting roles, such as coaching. 100% of the learning that you will receive will support you in being able to do your job, or prepare you for doing a job, in support of the delivery of physical education and school sport.

The qualification is composed of twelve mandatory units. To qualify for the 1st4sport Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Supporting the Delivery of Physical Education and School Sport, you must successfully complete the 12 mandatory units, achieving 54 credits. During your achievement of the qualification, you will complete the following learning outcomes:

• understanding how to safeguard the wellbeing of children and young people • understanding how to communicate and develop professional relationships with children, young people and adults • understanding how children and young people develop, recognising when additional support may be required • understanding schools as organisations and the infrastructure behind this (education policy, legislation, school policies and procedures, school roles and responsibilities of staff and other key individuals) • understanding how to mentor others within the scope of supporting the delivery of physical education and school sport • being able to support, and assist with the review of, assessment for learning, working with both learners and teachers • being able to plan, deliver and review a physical education and school sport programmes, both curricular and extra-curricular • being able to organise, lead and evaluate a sports event or competition • being able to support gifted and talented learners • being able to facilitate community-based sport and physical activity

Your learning and assessment programme will require you to be assessed delivering physical education and school sport activities in a real school sport environment. You should discuss this requirement with your centre before starting you programme of learning, especially if you do not already have access to this environment.

The 1st4sport Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Supporting the Delivery of Physical Education and School Sport is recognised as the industry standard qualification for Senior Children’s Activity Professionals by the trade association for providers of sports and physical activity in schools and the wider community: The Compass Association. The Compass Association (Compass) represents the interests of all providers delivering sport and physical activity in schools and is striving to improve the standards of non-teaching specialists delivering Physical Activity and Sport in schools.

The Association for Physical Education (afPE) has also stated they believe that “by 2015, coaches employed in or by schools supporting Curriculum time PE should qualified to a Level 2 National Governing Body (NGB) Award and be working towards a Level 2 and 3 Certificate in Supporting the Delivery of Physical Education and School Sport or equivalent, to comply with the forthcoming afPE Safe Practice Guidance for Schools” (March 2013).

The qualification also has the support of CIMSPA, the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity, as an industry-relevant qualification contributing to the industry’s professional framework also.

The qualification is designed for you if you are already working, or aspire to work, in a physical education and school sport setting. The qualification is specifically designed to provide you with a greater understanding of programmes of study for physical education, the national curriculum and the environment in which you currently operate, or will be operating.

You need to be 16 years of age of older, hold a Level 2 Physical Education or sport-related qualification (examples include the 1st4sport Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Learning in Physical Education and School Sport), GCSE in Physical Education (Grades A-C), etc) and be able to effectively communicate in English prior to registering for the qualification. You will also need access to a school sport environment in order to fully meet the assessment requirements for this qualification.

This qualification is a larger qualification when compared to the 1st4sport Level 3 Certificate in Supporting the Delivery of Physical Education and School Sport, and includes a further four modules. Unlike the assessment programme for the 1st4sport Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Delivery of Physical Education and School Sport, you will be assessed delivering physical education and school sport activities in a real school sport environment.

This qualification also forms the combined knowledge and competence component for the Advanced Apprenticeship in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Physical Education and School Sport. It may be more appropriate for you to complete this qualification as part of the Advanced Apprenticeship if you already have employment supporting the delivery of physical education and school sport (minimum 30 hours per week).

The 1st4sport Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Supporting the Delivery of Physical Education and School Sport prepares you for employment in a school sport setting and provides opportunities for you to work as a physical education and school sport professional. This could include roles such as a Senior Children’s Activity Professional, a School Sport Volunteer, a School Sports Coach (when held in conjunction with one (or more) sports coaching qualifications) or a School Sports Leader.

The qualification can help you become a qualified Teaching Assistant (TA) or Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA). Five of the units you will achieve form part of the 1st4sport Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools and the Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools and cover the underpinning knowledge and understanding for those working directly with children or young people in schools.

You may choose to complete this qualification as part of the Advanced Apprenticeship in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Physical Education and School Sport.

Fees are charged per learner and provide registration and certification for the qualification, as well as a 1st4sport Learner Pack, learning resources and a Certificate.

There are no costs involved in applying or becoming a 1st4sport recognised centre. Further information on fees is available in your qualification application pack.

1st4sport Qualifications is a brand of Coachwise Ltd, the trading arm of UK Coaching (formerly Sports Coach UK), the UK-registered charity leading the development of coaching. Any proceeds from your business goes directly back to UK Coaching to invest in developing coaching for all children, players and athletes in the UK.